Process of manufacturing press-free garment with retained creases



3,26&15

L m? ml K CW mwu. E WRd 6 H1 m www Aug. 30, 1966 PROCESS OFMANUFACTURING PRESS-FREE GARMENT INVENTORS WILL/AM K WAR/VOGK B g-RANK6. HUBE/VER (ATTORNEY United States Patent C) M 3,268,915 PROCESS OFMANUFACTURING PRESS-FREE GARMENT WITH RETAINED CREASES William K.Warnoclr, Kentfield, and Frank G. Hnhener,

San Carlos, Calif., assignors, by mesne assignments, to

Koratron Company, llnc., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation ofCalifornia Filed Apr. 8, 1963, Ser. No. 271,167 7 Claims. (Cl. 2-243)The invention, in general, relates to improvements in outerwear. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to the production of washablegarments which withstand repeated washing and which are neat andready-to-wear without pressing.

While our present invention is directed generally to our disclosures inour existing Letters Patent, No. 2,974- 432, issued March 14, 1961, andentitled Press-Free Crease Retained Garments and Method of ManufactureThereof," it is principally directed to improvements of the inventionstherein described and claimed, as will more particularly appearhereinafter.

A primary object of our present invention is to provide improvedwashable garments which are unrestricted as to style, size, design andtype and which are ready-towear after repeated washings withoutpressing.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improvedprocess of manufacturing washable press-free garments of the indicatednature which is additionally characterized by affording garments withcreases retained therein after repeated washings.

A still further object of our invention is to provide improved washablegarments and an improved process of manufacture thereof which affordsthe utilization of chemically treated fabrics which have been retainedon the shelf for an appreciable period without cutting for garmentmaking.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved garmentsand an improved process of the indicated nature wherein chemicalsimpregnated into the garment fabrics are retained uncured for anappreciable period of time without decomposition.

A still further object of our invention is to provide improved washablegarments of the indicated nature from chemically treated fabrics whereinthe chemical used is maintained in uncured stable equilibrium for longerperiods without deterioration and without loss of effectiveness untilfinal curing upon completion of manufacture of the garments at whichtime they are rendered water-insoluble.

Other objects of the invention, together with some of the advantageousfeatures thereof, will appear from the following description of apreferred enbodiment of the invention which is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that we are notto be limited to the precise embodiment shown nor to the precise orderof steps of the process described, as our invention, as defined in theappended claims, can be embodied in a plurality and variety of forms andcan be practiced in a plurality and variety of ways.

In its preferred form, our product invention preferably compriseswashable press-free garments of any style, size, design or type withcreases retained therein and containing a polymerized resinous compoundwhich is waterinsoluble and which contains means for maintaining thetexture and tensile strength of the fabrics from which the garments aremade over an appreciable period and despite repeated washings of thegarments.

A preferred mode of manufacturing our aforesaid washable press-freegarments, with retained creases therein after repeated washings,comprises the steps of impregnating a fabric with an aqueous solution ofa compound 3,2 68,9 15 Patented August 30, 1966 containing athermosetting substance as its major constituent and a fabricconditioner, and a catalyst for extending the duration whereunder thesaid substance is retained in the fabric in an unset state in theabsence of a setting temperature, and a wetting agent for aiding thepenetration and saturation of the fabric with said compound, thereafterremoving excess solution from the fabric to an extent as to retainapproximately to of said thermosetting substance in the fabric, dryingthe fabric at a temperature below that for setting said substance and toan extent that a moisture content of approximately 8% to 10% is retainedtherein, thereafter cutting the fabric containing the substance in anunset state to the size, shape, style and type of a desired garment,sewing the garment fabric to provide desired seams, finishing thegarment to desired style and design, then imparting at least one creasein the finished garment at a selected area thereof consistent with thestyle and design of the desired garment under pressure and at atemperature to preset said substance at said area, and finally curing orsetting the contained substance in situ to a water-insoluble state sothat the completed garment is press-free and retains the imparted creaseafter repeated washing thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of one type of oven that can beemployed as a component of our improved process, this view illustratingin full lines a treated completed garment suspended from a rack mountedon a portable track.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational View of a preferred embodiment of agarment, as exemplified in a pair of trousers, treated in accordancewith our preferred mode of manufacturing of the garment.

FIG. 3 a fragmentary front perspective view of a heat and pressureelement which constitutes another component of our preferred mode ofmanufacturing our improved washable press-free garments with sharpcreases retained therein after repeated washings.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of our preferred embodiment ofthe invention in a treated garment, this view showing the preferred typeof scam employed therein.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

We have illustrated schematically in the annexed drawings certainequipment which is presently being used after the completion of themanufacture of garments from chemically treated fabric in accordancewith our improvements hereinafter more particularly described. However,it is to be understood that any other suitable equipment devised for thesame purposes as that shown and for accomplishing the objects hereinstated can be substituted for the equipment illustrated. For example, itis entirely feasible and it is contemplated by us to suspend thecompleted garment from a conveyor which will carry a succession of thegarments into and through an oven maintained at a suitable temperaturefor curing the chemicals contained in the garments to a waterinsolublestate. Moreover, the equipment illustrated in FIG. 3 for conditioningthe contained chemicals for final setting or curing during their oventreatment likewise can be altered to any other heat and pressureapplicator capable of effecting such pre-setting of the chemicals undercontrolled conditions.

While our improvements are entirely suitable and adaptable forimpregnating cellulosic fabrics including blends thereof with man madematerials, such as 100% cotton fabrics, viscose rayon and similarblends, we shall describe our present invention, for the sake of brevityand simplicity only, in the environment of fabrics of the latter nature,i.e., cottons and rayons and variations or constant after one minute ofimmersion in the caustic solution. Further, that while any one of anumber of different thermosetting chemicals can be employed forpreparing the fabric-impregnating solution containing the specifiedcomponents, we shall describe our present improvements for brevity andsimplicity, in the field of thermosetting resins as we have hadexcellent results with such substances in combination with thecomponents hereinafter delineated in producing our improved washablepress-free garments with retained sharp creases therein after repeatedwashings. As to the cotton stretch fabrics, there is substantiallycomplete recovery and complete shape retention in all press-freeWashable garments manufactured in accordance with our presentimprovements with no evidence of bagginess at knee or elbow areas afteran appreciable number of washings.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, we provide as our end product, a washablegarment 11 containing a cured chemical compound 12 which has beenrendered water-insoluble; the cured chemical compound forming aconstituent of the fabric of which the garment is made so as to afford agarment that is press-free with retained creases 13 and 14- thereinafter repeated washings. Thus, the garments are ready-to-wear upon thedrying thereof after each washing without having to resort to pressingthe garment before donning the same. The garment 11 is completelymanufactured from fabric containing the chemical compound 12 in an unsetor uncured condition and after completion, including imparting creasestherein at desired areas, the garment 11, as well as others similarlyprocessed and completed, may conveniently be disposed on a rack 16,using a standard garment hanger 17 for each garment; the rack 16 beingsecurely mounted on a mobile truck 18, or the like, for movement intoand out of a garment-setting oven 19.

In accordance with our present improvements, we preferably utilizeunfinished fabrics and if finished each fabric should initially bethoroughly washed in a suitable aqueous soap solution containing adetergent so as to remove starch, gelatin, glucose, dextrine, coloringmatter and other impurities, thus avoiding undue stiffening of thefabric during processing. The thus washed fabric should then be rinsedthoroughly in clear water. The unfinished fabric, or thoroughly washedfinished fabric is then conveniently wound on rolls for subsequentpadding operations.

Each selected fabric from which garments are to be made is unwoundslowly from a roll thereof and passed through a conventional dipping orpadding machine, not shown, to be throughly impregnated with an aqueoussolution of a Water-soluble thermosetting compound. Preferably, thefabrics are double-dipped in the above mentioned aqueous solution inorder to insure approximately 85%100% pick-up of the solution by thefabrics, and we preferably pre-agitate the solution constantly beforeeach dipping operation as well as maintain the temperature of thesolution between approximately 120 F. to 130 F. In this padding step,the fabric containing the thermosetting chemical preferably is passedthrough rollers for removing excess solutions but, the rollers are socontrolled that approximately 85% to 100% by weight of the solution isretained in the fabric.

Thereafter, the impregnated fabric is conveyed onto a standard tenterframe, also not shown, and simultaneously partially dried as it passesalong the frame, and is finally wound onto a suitable roller forconvenient handling and Cir rewinding in convenient lengths on otherrollers for storage or for transportation to a garment cutting room. Inaccordance with our invention, the drying temperature to which thefabric is subjected while passing along the tenter frame is maintainedbetween approximately 200 F. and 220 R, which is below the temperatureat which the impregnated compound will set or be cured. That is to say,the drying temperature is well below the curing temperature of thechemical solution introduced into the fabric. We so control the dryingof the fabric by maintaining the temperature in the range stated as wellas by moving the fabric along the tenter frame at a speed ofapproximately 10 to 15 yards per minute, that the extent of the dryingis such that approximately 8% to 10% of moisture is retained therein.All of the foregoing steps are substantially the same as heretoforedisclosed in our above mentioned Letters Patent, with the exception ofthe composition of the aqueous solution, as hereinafter delineated.

In order to stabilize the uncured chemical compound in situ, asintroduced into each fabric, for an appreciable period of time beforethe fabric is cut and sewn into a garment, we preferably include in theaqueous solution of thermosetting compound, a catalyst possessing theproperty of retarding activation of the chemical solution to anyappreciable extent. With this retarding catalyst in the compound, it ispossible to process voluminous quantities of a number of fabrics longprior to the making up of garments therefrom, and to keep the processedfabrics on shelves in storage for appreciable periods of time, in someinstances for six months, without affecting the final curing or settingof the compounds to a water insoluble state. We also include in ourpreferred embodiment, in addition to the catalyst mentioned, ingredientshaving the properties of fortifying or reinforcing the fabric so thatits tendency to tear and abrade is materially reduced and its tendencyto lose its tensile strength is appreciably reduced. A suitable wettingagent for aiding the dispersion of the aqueous solution of thermosettingcompound throughout the fabric also preferably is made a part of ourimproved compound.

Whenever it is desired to manufacture garments in any style, size, typeor design from any fabric processed as hereinabove set forth, therequisite amount of yardage of the fabric is removed from storage, anddelivered to a garment cutting room. The fabric is cut, sewn andfinished in the garment cutting room and is transferred to a spacecontaining suitable pressing equipment for imparting creases in thecompleted garments at locations therein consistent with the style anddesign of each garment, and at the same time presetting the aqueousthermosetting solution contained in the garment at the areas of theimparted creases. Whenever the terms presetting or pre-set are usedherein, we mean that the chemicals contained in the fabrics of which thegarments are made are subjected to heat and pressure of such degree thatthese chemicals are substantially cured or set to a water-insolublestate In our improved processes, this pre-setting occurs at the areas ofimparted creases to afford durable, sharp-creases after repeated garmentwashings as well as at the seams to insure non-puckering. Thus, thecreases and seams are pre-set. We have diagrammatically illustrated inFIG. 3 of the annexed drawings, as an example of pressing equipment, aconventional socalled hot head for pressing creases 13 and 14 in theslacks or trousers 11 shown in FIG. 2; such pressing equipment beingeither pneumatically or hydraulically operated and including a pedestal21 for elevating the parts to be used to a desired level for anoperator, a padded lower element or buck 22 supported on the top of thepedestal and adapted to receive the legs of pants to be pressed,together with a shaped and polished heated head 23 which is pivotallymounted on the pedestal at the rear thereof and adapted to be swung intoclose proximity and overlying relation to the top of the padded buck 22thereby to apply pressure and heat to the pant legs at the proper areafor pressing sharp creases in the legs of the garment 11 at desiredlocations.

The operator, of course, must align the pant legs properly on the fronthalf and the rear half of the buck 22, such as placing the outside legof one pair of pants 11 on the front half of the buck 22 and the insideleg of another pair of pants on the rear half of the padded buck. Inthis manner, two garments are handled on each pressing operation. Theswing of the heated head 23 into engagement with the pant legs iseffected either by manually throwing a switch or by pedal movement ofthe switch to open the pneumatic or hydraulic valve controlled linesleading thereto, all not shown. The application of the heated head 23,which is supplied with steam from a source, not shown, to the desiredgarment area on the padded buck 22 for a predetermined time in order toeffect sharp creases at the requisite locations. In the case of pants,the head 23 is usually applied to the pant legs for a period rangingbetween 15 seconds to 30 seconds per leg to impart the sharp creases 13and 14 therein. When the foot pedal is released, or the manual switch isthrown in the opposite direction as the case may be, the head 23 opensand returns to its initial position. The garment is then removed fromthe hot head and one garment is re-laid to impart a crease to its otherleg and the operator also lays another garment on the buck 22 to apply acrease to its other leg, and the pressing steps repeated. The heatedhead 23 need not be a so-called double leg finishing press as it isentirely feasible to practice our process using pressing equipmentin'which but one garment is laid on the buck first in one position andthen another for creasing the two legs of a pair of trousers separately.Other pressing units can be utilized for other garments for pressinggarment edges, cuffs, collars and the like.

While our improved washable press-free garments can be manufactured withdifferent types of seam construction, we have had most effective resultsand preferably construct the garments with underpressed open seams withthe seam edges, as indicated at 26 and 27 in FIG. 4 of the annexeddrawings, lying flat to the garment. As is customary, the seams shouldbe opened and under-pressed with a hot dry iron to be followed by toppressing either on a conventional buck press or by a hot head, asdepicted in FIG. 3. We have found that the presetting of the aqueoussolution contained in the completed garments at the locations ofimparted creases and of the fiat seams not only results in the provisionand retention of sharp creases in the garments despite repeated washingsthereof 'but also the seams remain smooth and flat with no puckeringthereof. This has been found especially true when the final curing andsetting in situ of the garment-contained thermosetting compound is noteffected in the garment-setting oven 12 for an appreciable time afterthe imparted creases have been pre-set by the hot head.

At any time after the garments have been completed by cutting, sewing,finishing and pressing, preferably using a hot head for pre-settingcreases and seams, as aforesaid, which may include pleating by amechanical pleating step, each entire garment 11, impregnated with theinitially water-soluble thermosetting compound hereinabove mentioned andhereinafter delineated, and having portions of such impregnated compoundpre-set adjacent areas of the imparted creases 13 and 14 and at theedges 26 and 27 of the side seams of the garment, is disposed along withother garments similarly processed into the garmentsetting oven 19 toeffect the setting of the compound in situ thus to cure the containedcompound and render the same water-insoluble. Any suitable oven 19 canbe employed as long as it is provided with suitable controls forregulating the temperature within the oven and, if gas fired, forregulating by means of suitable throttles, the air and gas flow tomaintain the temperature between predetermined low and high values. Theoven 19 prefera'bly should be provided with suitable vents, not shown,to permit escape of air as well as of vapors resulting from the curingor setting of the garment-contained thermosetting compound. Alsosuitable thermocouples, not shown, may be suspended within the oven atvarious locations for testing temperature conditions and for indicatingthe necessity for throttling the air and gas flow to bring the oventemperature to desired levels. It is to be appreciated that differenttemperatures are required to cure the thermosetting compounds indiffernet garments, such variations in setting temperatures being dependent in part upon the nature and texture of the fabric of which thegarment is made and in which the chemical is contained. The range oftemperature in the oven for lighter garments can be from 300 F. to 325F. and when heavier garments are cured therein the temperature should beelevated to 350 F., with a setting time in all cases ranging between 10minutes to minutes.

While we have illustrated an oven in FIG. 1 wherein the garments aredisposed for a predetermined period of time and exposed to the elevatedtemperatures indicated, it is entirely feasible to effect the finalsetting of the contained thermosetting compound by conveying thegarments in succession through a specially constructed oven having anopen passageway therethrough, all not shown, with the same effectiveresult of curing the compound to a water-insoluble state. Any suitableconveyor for the garments can be employed, such as an overhead monorailfrom which the individual garments 11 can be pivotally suspended toeffect a slow rotation of each garment as it is being moved slowly alongthe monorail through the passageway of such suggested oven. Theparticular construction of such open passage-way oven will be describedand claimed in a subsequent application.

Our preferred aqueous solution of a thermosetting compound can bealtered to some extent for processing different fabrics, the essence ofour concept as described and claimed in our above mentioned LettersPatent being that the solution remains unset or uncured until after thecompletion of the garment. The present invention not only resides in thepresetting of the uncured solution in certain areas of the garment, suchas at the location of creases, seams, edges and the like, to insure theretention of sharp creases and non-puckered scams or edges afterrepeated washings, but also resides in an improved formulation of theaqueous solution of thermosetting compound for holding the solution instable equilibrium within the garment without being activated or withoutits deterioration or loss of effectiveness and capacity to be cured andset to a water-insoluble state despite the lapse of appreciable periodsof time between the time of impregnation of the fabric with theinitially water-soluble solution and the time of manufacture andcompletion of garments from such chemically treated fabrics. To thisend, we have formulated our improved compounds as set out in thefollowing examples for impregnation into the indicated fabrics:

Example I .-1 00% cotton fabrics Urea formaldehyde resin, concentratewith approximately 50 water gallons 6 Fabric conditioner, stearamidewith dispersion of melamine formaldehyde resin lbs 16 Catalyst,magnesium chloride hexahydrate .lbS Wetting agent quart 1 Water, tobring to gallons 50 imately 50% water. Any one of a number of fabricconditioners that are water-soluble can form a constituent of theaqueous solution, in the proportionate amount thereof indicated in theabove Example I, and we have had consistently good results in theemployment of a product presently being marketed under the trademarkAerotex Permel B and comprising an equal solids mix of methylol,stearamide and methylated trimethylol melamine. As we have stated above,a significant departure of our present compound from the thermosettingcompound delineated in our above mentioned Letters Patent resides in thecatalyst employed in our improved thermosetting compound. In our presentimprovement, we have included a catalyst which will maintain thecompound substantially in stable equilibrium in the fabric for a periodthat appreciably lengthens the shelf-life of the treated fabric. Suchcatalyst is generally available on the market, and preferably comprisesan inorganic, water-soluble metallic salt. The improved compound of ourpresent invention contains as a catalyst magnesium chloride hexahydrate(MgCI 6H O). As an agent to assist the dispersion of the aqueoussolution uniformly throughout the fabric, and penetration thereof, anysuit-able wetting agent may be employed, such as that presentlyavailable on the market under the trademark Nekal WS-21 comprising anaqueous solution of a sulphonated aliphatic polyester commonly known inthe art as an anionic surfactant. Any suitable finisher to firm up thefabric, such as a water soluble gum or the like, may be added to thesolution in minor quantity, if desired. Such a gum can be presentlypurchased on the market under the trademark Penford Gum.

Garments manufactured from ure 100% cotton impregnated with the aqueoussolution of Example I and processed in accordance with the abovedelineated steps with the compound retained unset and in stableequilibrium until the garments have been completely manufactured andthereafter set and cured to a water-insoluble state, have withstoodapproximately 30 washings and yet retained sharp creases withoutrequiring pressing before donning and wear.

Example II.100% cotton fabrics Urea formaldehyde resin, 50% concentratewith approximately 50% water gallons 6 Fabric conditionerstearamide withdispersion of melamine formaldehyde resin in the proportion of 33% byweight of stearamide and 67% by weight of resin lbs 16 Catalyst,magnesium chloride hexahydrate MgCl -6H O lbs 7 /2 Polyethylene emulsionlbs 12 Wetting agent quart 1 Water, to bring solution to gallons 50 Inthe formulation of Example II, the polyethylene emulsion comprisingpolyethylene stabilized with a small amount of a dispersing agent wasfound effective in strengthening the treated fabric against tearing andimproving abrasion resistance of the fabric, and therefore useful in themanufacturing of garments from carded cotton or the like. The remainingcomponents of the aqueous solution need not be altered for manufacturingour washable press-free garments with retained sharp creases therein.

Example III.-100% viscose rayon Urea formaldehyde resin, 50% concentratewith 50% water gallons 12 Fabric conditioner, stearamide with dispersionof melamine formaldehyde resin in the proportion by weight of 33%stearamide and 67% resin lbs-- 16 Catalyst, magnesium chloridehexahydrate MgCl 6H O lbs Elvanol, 7260 fabric conditioner lbs 2 Wettingagent quart 1 Water, to bring to gallons 50 In our improved watersoluble thermosetting compound for rayon fabrics, we preferably use theadditional fabric conditioner presently available on the market underthe tradename Elvanol #72-60, and comprising polyvinyl alcohol, andincrease the proportions, per 50 gallons of water, of both the ureaformaldehyde resin and the stea-ramide with melamine formaldehyde resindispersion, for the most effective results in impregnating the rayon andfollowing out the remaining steps of the process as above outlined.

Other formulations of our improved chemical compound for impregnatingother textile yardage, whether entirely cotton, or composed partly ofcotton and partly of rayon or blends thereof with man made materials,can

comprise any one of the following:

Example IV Urea formaldehyde resin, 50% concentrate with 50% watergallons 6 Stearamide, with melamine formaldehyde lbs 8 Magnesiumchloride hexahydrate, MgCl -6H O lbs 7 /2 Fabric conditioner (SynolubePe) lbs 12 Wetting agent quart 1 Water, to bring to gallons 50 Example VUrea formaldehyde resin, 50% concentrate with 50% water gallons 9Stearamide with dispersion of melamine formaldehyde resin lbs 18Magnesium chloride hexahydrate MgCl -6H O lbs 10 Fabric conditioner(Polyethylene emulsion) lbs 12 Wetting agent quart 1 Water, to bring togallons 50 It is to be understood that any one of the formulations setout in Examples IV, inclusive, may be varied within slight proportionswithout departing from the scope and effectiveness thereof; it beingkept in mind that the catalyst should not 'be hanged since it serves theimportant object of retarding or delaying the activation or curing ofthe compound in the fabric until subjected to a temperature sufficientlyhigh to effect setting thereof to a water-insoluble state or, in otherwords, of maintaining the compound in an unset state of stableequilibruim in the fabrics for extended periods of time and until afterthe garments have been completed.

We would also like it to be understood that the important factor ofpre-setting the compound in certain crease areas of the finished garmentand at seams should he followed in order to obtain effective resultswith sharp creases and unpuckered seams after repeated washings.

The appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalentscommensurate in scope with the advance made over the prior art.

Wherever the term wetting agent is used in the specification and claims,we mean any one of a group of sulfonated aliphatic polyesters which issoluble in water in all proportions and which is known in the art as ananionic surfactant.

We claim:

1. A process of manufacturing garments of any style, size, design andtype which are press-free with sharp imparted creases retained thereinafter repeated washings; said process comprising the steps ofimpregnating fabrics with an aqueous solution of a thermosettingcompound containing a catalyst possessing the property of maintainingthe compound in stable equilibrium in the fabrics for appreciableperiods at temperatures below the setting temperature of the compound,drying the fabrics containing said compound at a temperature belowsetting temperature of said compound and to an extent that approximately8% to 10% of moisture is retained therein, thereafter cutting saidfabrics containing said compound while in an unset state to the size,shape and design of desired garments, sewing the fabrics to providegarment seams located at the areas to be creased, finishing the cut andsewn fabrics to completed garments of desired styles and designs,thereafter imparting at least one crease in said completed garmentconsistent with the desired style and design of the garments, and at thesame time pre-setting said garment containing compound at the locationsof said seams and said crease, and finally curing the impregnatedpartially dried and partially preset completed garments towater-insolubilize the contained compound in situ so that the completedgarments are press-free with a retained sharp imparted crease and smoothunpuckered seams therein at said locations after repeated washings.

2. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the impregnation of saidfabrics is controlled to an extent that approximately 85% to 100% of thecompound by weight is retained in the fabrics.

3. A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said solution is constantlyagitated at a temperature ranging between 120 F. and 130 F. and whereinthe fabrics containing said solution are dried at a temperature rangingbetween approximately 200 F. and 220 F.

4. A process for manufacturing garments from cotton fabrics and of anystyle, size, design and type as defined in claim 1 wherein said aqueoussolution of a thermosetting compound comprises urea formaldehyde resin,stearamide with melamine formaldehyde dispersion, a water solublemetallic salt and a wetting agent in approximately 50 gallons of water.

5. A process of manufacturing garments from viscose rayon and of anystyle, size, design and type, as defined in claim 1, and wherein saidaqueous solution comprises approximately 12 gallons of an aqueouscomposition of a urea formaldehyde resin comprising approximately 50%water and 50% resin, approximately 16 pounds of stearamide with amelamine formaldehyde resin dispersion in the proportion by weight of 33parts of stearamide to 67 parts of melamine formaldehyde resin,approximately 15 pounds of an aqueous solution of magnesium chloridehexahydrate, approximately 2 pounds of a polyvinyl alcohol,approximately one quart of a wetting agent, all in approximately gallonsof water.

6. A process as defined in claim 1 for manufacturing garments fromcotton wherein said thermosetting compound comprises approximately 6gallons of an aqueous composition comprising approximately 50% water and50% of a urea formaldehyde resin, approximately 16 pounds of stearaminewith melamine formaldehyde resin dispersion in the proportion of 33%steramide and 67% resin, by weight approximately 7 /2 pounds ofmagnesium chloride hexahydrate, a Wetting agent and water sufiicient tobring the solution to 50 gallons.

7. A process as defined in claim 6, and including approximately 12pounds of a polyethylene emulsion in said aqueous solution of athermosetting compound.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,846,337 8/1958Cooke et al 38--144 X 2,876,062 3/1959 Torke 38-444 X 2,933,409 4/1960Binkley 38-144 X 2,950,553 8/1960 Hurwitz 117139.4 X 2,957,746 10/1960Buck et al. 38--144 X 2,974,432 3/1961 Warnock et al. 117--139.4 X3,015,584 1/1962 Reinhardt et al. 117-139.4 3,025,622 3/1962 Hilton38-144 3,051,674 8/19621 Kress 260-294 3,055,773 9/1962 Mosher 260-29.43,094,705 6/1963 Reid et al. 38144 X 3,096,524 7/1963 Mizell 2243 JORDANFRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner.

Dedication 3,268,915.-William K. War-flock, Kentfield, and F rank G.Hubener, San Carlos, Calif. PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING PRESS-FREE GARMENTWITH RETAINED CREASES. Patent dated Aug. 30, 1966. Dedication filed May18, 1970, by the assignee, Kov'atron Compcmy, Inc. Hereby dedicates theremaining term of said patent to the Public.

OfiiciaZ Gazette August 18, 1970.]

1. A PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING GARMENTS OF ANY STYLE, SIZE, DESIGN ANDTYPE WHICH ARE PRESS-FREE WITH SHARP IMPARTED CREASES RETAINED THEREINAFTER REPEATED WASHINGS; SAID PROCESS COMPRISING THE STEPS OFIMPREGNATING FABRICS WITH AN AQUEOUS SOLUTION OF A THERMOSETTINGCOMPOUND CONTAINING A CATALYST POSSESSING THE PROPERTY OF MAINTAININGTHE COMPOUND IN STABLE EQUILIBRIUM IN THE FABRICS FOR APPRECIABLEPERIODS AT TEMPERATURES BELOW THE SETTING TEMPERATURE OF THE COMPOUND,DRYING THE FABRICS CONTAINING SAID COMPOUND AT A TEMPERATURE BELOWSETTING TEMPERATURE OF SAID COMPOUND AND TO AN EXTENT THAT APPROXIMATELY8% TO 10% OF MOISTURE IS RETAINED THEREIN, THEREAFTER CUTTING SAIDFABRICS CONTAINING SAID COMPOUND WHILE IN AN UNSET STATE TO THE SIZE,SHAPE AND DESIGN OF DESIRED GARMENTS, SEWING THE FABRICS TO PROVIDEGARMENT SEAMS LOCATED AT THE AREAS TO BE CREASED, FINISHING THE CUT ANDSEWN FABRICS TO COMPLETED GARMENTS OF DESIRED STYLES AND DESIGNS,THEREAFTER IMPARTING AT LEAST ONE CREASE IN SAID COMPLETED GARMENTCONSISTENT WITH THE DESIRED STYLE AND DESIGN OF THE GARMENTS, AND AT THESAME TIME PRE-SETTING SAID GARMENT CONTAINING COMPOUND AT THE LOCATIONSOF SAID SEAMS AND SAID CREASE, AND FINALLY CURING THE IMPREGNATEDPARTIALLY DRIED AND PARTIALLY PRESET COMPLETED GARMENTS TOWATER-INSOLUBILIZE THE CONTAINED COMPOUND IN SITU SO THAT THE COMPLETEDGARMENTS ARE PRESS-FREE WITH A RETAINED SHARP IMPARTED CREASE AND SMOOTHUNPUCKERED SEAMS THEREIN AT SAID LOCATIONS AFTER REPEATED WASHINGS.